Between May 10th and 13th, the BMI/THE Global International Schools Forum & Workshop took place at the Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel. For the first time, the Forum was held outside of London, with Portugal being selected to host the 2026 edition.
The meeting brought together 107 school counselors and advisors from over 35 countries, with geographical locations as diverse as South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, China, the United Arab Emirates, India, Mozambique, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Vietnam. In total, 82 higher education institutions from around the world were represented.
The Portuguese participation included representatives from 22 higher education institutions, who held a total of 650 meetings with international advisors, with the aim of presenting the educational offerings and access procedures to higher education in Portugal, opening doors to future partnerships and attracting international talent.
The program kicked off with a session hosted by the Study & Research in Portugal team, aimed at international advisors and focused on presenting Portugal as a study destination and its national higher education system.
The event agenda also included information sessions on requirements and procedures for admission to Portuguese higher education and professional development seminars. On the evening of May 11th, the official reception and dinner took place. Global Counsellor Awards, intended to recognize the work done by school counselors.
Following the conclusion of the work in Sesimbra, the program continued until May 14th and 15th with a tour of various Portuguese higher education institutions. The international advisors had the opportunity to get to know different institutions firsthand. campuses, laboratories and infrastructure, demonstrating the innovation and quality that characterize the national scientific and academic environment.
With the holding of this meeting, the initiative Study & Research in Portugal The Erasmus+ Education and Training program continued its work promoting the Portuguese higher education system internationally within international student guidance networks, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to international cooperation and promoting student mobility worldwide.
Portuguese Higher Education Institutions present:
University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro
University of Évora
University of Beira Interior
University of Coimbra
University of Aveiro
Lusíada University
Egas Moniz School of Health & Science
Porto Polytechnic Institute
Santa Maria Higher School of Health
NOVA University of Lisbon
Piaget Institute
Leiria Polytechnic Institute
Polytechnic Institute of Tomar
NOVA Medical School | Faculty of Medical Sciences
Faculty of Arts, University of Lisbon
CATÓLICA-LISBON School of Business and Economics & Católica Medical School
Catholic University of Portugal
Vasco da Gama University School
Instituto Superior Técnico
University of Algarve
Polytechnic Institute of Santarém
University of Porto
Publicado em May 20, 2026 | Atualizado em May 21, 2026
